There are plenty of other fascinating events and occasions. Each year an “International Exhibition of New Cinema” is held in Pesaro and the premieres of both Italian and foreign language films are shown, together with retrospectives on the works of leading directors from Italy and abroad. Urbino holds a Festival of ancient music, a kite festival and the Festival of the Duke with re-enactments of the historical events related to the Montefeltro dynasty. At Fano it is well worth attending the colourful and crowded “Carnival of the Adriatic”.
During the summer, the historic centres of local towns and cities offer wonderful settings for events in period costume such as the “Cacciata” at Mondolfo (the re-enactment of a Renaissance ball-game), the “Wild Boar Hunt” at Mondavio, the “Palio della Rana” (a tournament involving races with frogs carted about on wheelbarrows) at Fermignano and the ”Assedio” (a re-enactment of the siege of the castle) in Gradara. The “Turba” (a traditional religious procession) is held in Cantiano on Good Friday and is a really atmospheric occasion.
Rural fairs and markets are held in smaller towns and villages during the Christmas period. An event called “Candele a Candelara” ( a fair featuring stalls in candlelit streets) attracts visitor from all over Italy.
There are plenty of sporting events, particularly basketball and volleyball. The start of the Pesaro-Rovinj regatta, held each year in early May, is a spectacular sight due to the sheer number of sailing boats. Sailing enthusiasts and expert sailors have the opportunity to sail to the other side of the Adriatic.
The excellent sports facilities in the area and neighbouring districts provide plenty of opportunities for taking part in a wide range of sports, including sailing, gold, scuba diving, parachuting, horse-riding and skiing.
There are three spas in the area: Montegrimano Terme (in the high-perched Conca valley), Macerata Feltria and Petriano. The lush countryside of the Apennines has numerous health centres and spas.